Syrian President Bashar Assad told France's Middle East envoy on Monday that Turkey must play an essential role in any peace talks between Syria and Israel, the Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported.

According to the report, Assad told French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran that Syria is committed to achieving a "just and comprehensive peace" based on international resolutions.

Syria has in the past said it would only continue resume indirect peace talks with Israel, under Turkish mediation, from the point where they left off before Israel launched a three-week offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in December 2008.

Cousseran, who delivered a letter to Assad from French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said that France hopes to increase cooperation with Syria, due to Syria's key role in any Middle East peace settlement.

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We, in Syria feel that Turkey is the strategic depth to all arab
countries. They show an understanding to our just cause, and their
support is unwaivering. I think the step of canceling visa requirement
on both sides has been very well recieved for both sides. With Turkey,
we share a lot more important thing that the border: We share the
culture, the cause, and the vision. I think that president Assaad, with
Prime Minister Erdogan, truly feel that in their hearts, because it is
being reflected in their actions. We extend our scincere congratulations
to the Turkish people on the results of their referendum.

We suffered alot after WW1 together, with British agents all around the
empire, dividing not only Ottoman Country, but also the Arabs. Thank god
today we dont need to be an empire to be together and share the future.
Yesterday Syria was supporting PKK today we are together. I hope Allah
will tie our fates again. Thank you for your kind words, may god bless
you and your country.

You wrote to the wrong paper, I hope you did not write to a syrian
newspaper saying that you agree with a fair and just pece with Israel
because you might rotten in Jail or sentenced to death. Good luck.

Syria lost the war they started, and they lost land. this is not a video
game. Syria does not get to reload from the last game save. this is
reality. loss of land is the price Syria paid for its on going
aggressions (including artillery bombardments of towns inside 1948
borders). If countries know that they will always get what they lost
back later, they will never hesitate to attack. after all they have
nothing to lose, except people. And we know how much Arab leaders care
about their people......

It is because of the Europeans who stick their noses where it isn't
wanted, that we are in this mess in the first place!! We are all aware
that Turkey's and Israel's relationship is at low, but this is just
"opportunistic" by the French! That is low!!

Turkey may impose its will as they continue to grow stronger, but they
can no longer represent their ex friend Israel. Either the West comes to
its senses and saves itself (including Israel) or the civilised world
will take a step 2000 years back into history.

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